The International Decade for People of African Descent Guyana (IDPADA-G) today filed legal action in the High Court against the Government of Guyana seeking financial compensation and the reinstatement of its monthly subvention.
The movement held a press conference today with its Attorney, Nigel Hughes to provide details of the legal action. Hughes explained that the action was filed against Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall.
Hughes explained that since 2018, IDPADA-G has received an annual subvention that was approved by the National Assembly. He said in law, the disbursement of subvention is considered a legitimate expectation and as such, an agreement was made between the movement and the Government of Guyana.
“It is a breach of the legitimate expectation with the refusal of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Culture to pay the annual subvention that is given in 12 payments. Therefore they are entitled to the intervention and protection of the court,” Hughes explained.
The Attorney further noted that the termination of the monthly payment to IDPADA-G was illegal and without reason and more so an “abuse of power” on the part of government.
“If the government wanted to change it’s approach it would have had to give notice to IDPADA-G and give them an explanation as to why they want to stop this annual appropriation to the organization. IDPADA-G was never consulted or even given a notice that it was going to stop,” Hughes said.
He added that another basis for the claim was the fact that the current administration was familiar with the work and advocacy of the movement. Hughes said that funds for IDPADA-G were approved in the last budget presentation.
“IDPADA-G depended on their commitment to making this appropriation available for their work… IDPADA-G has suffered tremendous loss, they had to shed staff. So the lives of other persons have been affected. IDPADA-G also entered contracts with other service providers which now had to be terminated. This now opens them for claims from these service providers,” Hughes said.
Meanwhile, when asked by the Guyana Standard about what the movement has done in the interim to carry out its work and function, Chairman Vincent Alexander said that they have received funds from local and international donors.
The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports earlier this year requested financial records from the movement to be submitted, detailing how almost $500M in state funds were expended.
